Eric Ludy Sermon Podcast: Church At Ellerslie

As Christians, is it possible to know for certain that we are “in the faith”, or not? Paul exhorts us to “examine ourselves” to this very end — but what does such an examination look like? The book of 1st John supplies an amazing test for the Christian to help solve this riddle. However, the words of 1st John are so simple and clear that they can prove a strange obstacle to the maturing Christian. In this message, Eric Ludy takes a deep dive into John's words from 1st John with the singular agenda of making very simple what, to many of us, has become a very complex question — Am I a  genuine Christian or not?  Support this podcast

The entire Bible is a battleground. But there are certain spots within the text that find themselves in a constant state of war and confusion. The city of Liege, Belgium is like this in and throughout war history — it seems to have a particular knack for finding its ways into the annals of war. And the passage in Hebrews 6:4-6 is like Liège. This passage of Scripture has led to many skirmishes and many stumblings of the saints of God throughout the ages. Satan hates Scripture, but he will often quote this passage, in hopes that it will cause the children of God to lose sight of the grand mercy of Heaven. But, we as the Church mustn’t be played by our adversary. We must remember His mercy! And we must allow this very Scripture to help us see His amazing mercy even more clearly!  Support this podcast

According to Scripture our bodies have been bought with a price and they are no longer ours. Technically speaking, they belong to Jesus Christ. But many of us still attempt to live as if this is our life, our talents, our time, and our prerogative. The story of Jonathan in the Old Testament demonstrates this same tension of ownership and right. For Jonathan is the heir apparent to the throne of Saul. But God has rejected Saul and given his throne to a “Better Man”.  Will Jonathan try and hold on to his father’s throne or will he yield it to the one who rightfully deserves it? This is the question being asked of each of us.  Support this podcast

We are in the midst of a spiritual battle. Even the theologically dubious seem to have been won over to this reality in this past year. There is an enemy and he desires the destruction of the Church. But, praise God, the enemy doesn’t just get everything he desires. God has supplied weaponry to His saints and equipped them for every good work. In fact, IF the Church of Jesus Christ heeds the war strategy laid out for us in the Scriptures, then there is no weapon fashioned against us that will prosper, for greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. 2,000 years ago something amazing transpired at the Cross, and IF we would freshly remember this grand work of grace and learn to wield it as, if it were in fact, weaponry, then the enemy of our souls will be exposed as the defeated foe that he actually is.   Support this podcast

In an age of Christian mediocrity it is painfully difficult to aim for something higher and more robust in our Christian experience. We have a tendency to tether ourselves to what is familiar, even if what is “familiar” is pathetic. We often ache for something more, but continue to self-justify the reasons why we aren’t vigorously pursuing something more. This message aims to hit at that which is tethering us to the same-old-same-old in our walk with Christ. Jesus desires us to throw off all the weights that are besetting us and run this race with vim and vigor. May we see the end of ox carts and see a radical return to the version of Christianity that joyfully embraces crosses and enthusiastically sings in prison cells.  Take this message even deeper with our http://ellerslie.com/the-end-of-ox-carts (Daily Thunder discussions on this message). Learn more at https://ellerslie.com/daily/ (ellerslie.com/daily/) Support this podcast

The Christian is built to beautifully portray the glory of God. That’s a high calling. And it’s good that we as Christians take this high calling seriously. But, it’s also important that we remember that the only One that can truly fulfill this high calling is God Himself. Along this journey we are going to encounter weakness in those that are walking beside us down the Narrow Way. How should we respond to this weakness? And — surprise, surprise — we are also going to encounter weakness in ourselves as we follow in the footsteps of Christ. How should we respond to our own personal weakness?  While Eric Ludy is out of town on a speaking trip, Ellerslie is freshly releasing this sermon classic from the archives. Originally delivered six years ago, it is our prayer that its re-release proves a timely exhortation to the Body of Christ and that it reminds us all that mercy does indeed triumph over judgment.  Take this message even deeper with our https://ellerslie.com/blanket-carriers/ (Daily Thunder dis

Even today, God is speaking to His Children. His primary means of doing this is through His Word. However, the text of the Bible, if left all by its lonesome, hangs heavily like an unwieldy sword in the hand of a listless warrior if it is not coupled with the swinging and parrying power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the man or woman of God. The Christian is designed to carry a spiritual roar within their souls — a courage, a boldness, a swagger of spiritual confidence, a power of heavenly origin. It’s the power of God’s Word inside them. But to both find this roar and to cultivate this roar, the believer must first submit to this roaring Word and let it uncover them, expose them, and convict them. Only then, can it rescue them, build them, and then marvelously work in and through them to bring this roar of the Lion to the peoples of this earth.    Take this message even deeper with our http://ellerslie.com/the-roar-of-the-lion/ (Daily Thunder discussions on this message). Learn more at htt

The world is changing at warp speed. Is this change good or bad? That depends on how we respond to it. One of the great secrets of the Christian is to know the things that must NEVER change in our lives as well as the things that often MUST change in our lives as this world crazily morphs around us.  The Sons of Issachar were noted in Scripture for “understanding the times in which they lived.” This is an attribute of strength that would serve the Church well at present. Many of us are dizzied, confused, and angry about the fast-paced change taking place in our world, but few of us feel like we have a clear grip on God’s purposes in this hour and know precisely how to bring the Gospel to this confused and needy world as a result of this change. Oh, Lord Jesus, raise up men and women in this hour that understand the times and can help the Church triumphantly navigate this tumultuous season.  Take this message even deeper with our http://ellerslie.com/as-the-sons-of-issachar/ (Daily Thunder discussio

The entire world has gone cuckoo. Or, at least, it would seem that way. And all this cuckoo-ness is forcing us as Christians to face decisions that are new, strange, and perplexing. We can attempt to ignore the issues of our day, but these issues are knocking on our front doors and coming to roost in our living rooms. But more disturbing is the fact that all this cuckoo-ness is breaking the Church of Jesus Christ apart. We are divided over how to handle the cuckoo-ness. This ought not to be. In this message Eric Ludy uses the divisive issue of the COVID-19 Vaccine along with Paul’s instructions in the book of 1st Corinthians in order to address the more pressing matter of how the Church ought to navigate these outrageous times. Support this podcast

America is an amazing country, with an amazing heritage. And yet, somewhere along the journey it lost its compass. America’s north star used to be God’s glory. Now it’s self-entitlement. Modern America is now officially ruled by its stomach, its appetites, and its desires. And we are baiting the rest of the world to follow suit. How does a country so set-apart and different in its origins — so godly and good natured in its disposition, become like all the rest? The sad tale of America’s fall from grace is not supposed to be our sad tale, too. This message was originally given nine years ago, but, Ellerslie is re-releasing it now in hopes that its timely and salient message will hearten the Body of Christ in this hour and encourage us to remember the value of self-relinquishment and throw overboard these toxic notions of self-entitlement . . . before it is too late.   Take this message even deeper with our https://ellerslie.com/americanized-self-at-the-center/ (Daily Thunder discussions on this mess

The “double-life” has become all to common amongst the leaders of the church today. Many are upright, pure, and morally sharp when in the public eye, but then behind closed doors, become something altogether different. Simply put, this duplicity destroys the witness of Christ and it undermines the Church. It’s a hazardous, toxic lifestyle that is not a part of true Christianity. The Church cannot and must not shrug its shoulders at this dangerous trend toward a passive acceptance of hypocrisy.  While Eric Ludy is out of town on a speaking trip, Ellerslie is freshly releasing this sermon classic from the archives. Originally delivered nine years ago, it is our prayer that its re-release proves a timely exhortation to the Body in this hour of compromise.   Take this message even deeper with our https://ellerslie.com/pastor-lives-a-double-life/ (Daily Thunder discussions on this message). Learn more at https://ellerslie.com/daily/ (ellerslie.com/daily/) Support this podcast

Weakness is sort of like manure. According to most people manure is generally considered a stinky thing — something to get rid of and purposely avoid stepping in. But there are some that look at manure and don’t think “stinky” when they see it — they think “valuable”. A gardener searches high and low for manure, and even is willing to pay top dollar to get it. Why? Because it is an amazing fertilizer. It’s turns struggling gardens into flourishing gardens. The same is true with weakness. When weakness is cherished as opposed to complained about, it transforms the lives of those that embrace it. And strangely, contrary to its name, it makes one stronger. Just as stinky manure makes a flower garden more fragrant, so situations of weakness, dependence, and humility cultivate serious strength into the life of the believer in Christ. It’s God’s brilliant pattern for building might into the life of His children. But, this grand secret of strength is often missed by Christians because they spend their life s

It would seem that Christianity has gone milk-toast. It’s soggy in the very places it should be stout, and it is timid in the very sectors of culture that it must be bold. So many modern Christians have not been constructed for trials and tribulations and, as a result, their unsteady and uncertain foundations are beginning to show in this hour of testing. But God has a remedy for this. His Holy Spirit was given to the Church to bring a deep soul-level certainty of faith that removes all milk-toast behavior and, instead, builds in a rousing courage and bold conviction. In an age of shrinking wafflers, we need the return of bravehearted confessors. For this to happen, we need to unabashedly live out and shout out the Truth of God’s Word. We must step out of our spiritual diapers, spit out our pacifiers, set down our sippy cups, and start behaving as the grown up Church of Jesus Christ.   Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at https://ellerslie.c

The enemy is working overtime attempting to discourage the saints of God. His disinformation campaign is loud and incessant, beckoning believers to lay down their spiritual weapons and accept imminent defeat. And this is why a message like this is critical for this hour of need. We, as the Church, must be reminded that our God specializes in impossible situations and has a perfect track record throughout history in turning the enemy’s boastings into eaten crow. Our God is a winner. He won at the Cross and that victory is sure — even today. This means that, contrary to the enemy’s propaganda, our God is actually the One who is going to pull out the victory in this hour. The Church may indeed suffer in this season, but every bit of that suffering WILL BE converted into a powerful advantage for both the cause of Truth in this world and for the glory of our illustrious King forever. Support this podcast

Human propensity leads us to attempt to do marvelous things for God . . . but without the enablement of God. This mistake is likely the one most often made in the life of the Christian — having great intentions to live triumphantly for Jesus without the necessary power to perform any of these great intentions. In the book of Ezekiel chapter thirty-seven we see God’s pattern for constructing His heavenly army. At the start of chapter thirty-seven, we see an army in a useless condition, then as the chapter progresses, we see it matured and built soundly but still without the power to perform. And finally, we see the necessary supernatural impetus enter the story — we see the Holy Spirit enter into that army and activate it for real battle. The Church of Jesus Christ is in desperate need of the very same infusion of power. This is a message about the impelling strength of the Holy Spirit in the life the Church. God intended us to have heaven-sized vision, yes, but with the heavenly empowerment of

As humans, our motto in response to the Holy Spirit’s petition for those much-needed life alterations, tends to be, “Not yet”. "Not yet" is a well-known phrase baked deep in the self-tendencies of our nature. We are wired to procrastinate on those difficult steps of obedience that lead to robust life changes. What’s funny is we really do want the change to happen and we crave the freedom and fruitfulness the change would bring about. But to actually activate the change is hard and is often met with a thousand little hesitations and micro-justifications.  This message is all about the forward action of the Christian life and how it works mechanically. It’s about those micro-steps upward that must be taken in order for God’s purposes to actually unfold in our lives. And it’s about the amazing power that is unlocked in the Christian life when we say, “yes” to God and “no” to our indolent natures. Support this podcast

Christianity is all about obedient action. But that “obedient action” hinges upon the readiness of the believer to instantly spring to life at every turn. Like a lion pacing longingly in its cage craving release, so is the Christian supposed to pace back and forth in that challenging zone of spiritual waiting and be always prepared to instantly jump into action-mode when commanded.  Support this podcast

We as Christians can easily stagnate in our forward march. We find something that spiritually works and then camp right there. But God is a fan of forward movement. As a result, in the life of Christian service, there can be a lot of goodbyes to old dusty patterns and fresh hellos to new places of dependence and challenge. God is calling His church forward — and to go where God is taking us we need to put off our old ways and be ready to adapt His thrilling new ways.  Support this podcast

Spittle upon the face has historically been the symbol of shame, rejection, and degradation. So, the idea of considering a spittle-covered face a joyful occasion seems a bit odd. But, that is what the Bible teaches. It teaches us that trials are our friends and sufferings are our bosom companions. In this message Eric unpacks the strange but amazing concept that pure joy is not found in the absence of trials, but BECAUSE of trials.  Support this podcast

When a Christian gets his game on sirens go off in hell. A Christian man functioning as a Christian man ought to function has always been and always will be considered “dangerous” to this world’s systems. There is no greater threat to the Dark Kingdom than a man courageously shining Light. And there is no greater threat to a world chock full of lies than a man boldly proclaiming Truth. Since Godly men are “dangerous men” — the games they must learn to play are “dangerous games”.  Support this podcast